Companies from the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador are prospecting for oil and gas partnerships here and other opportunities.
The trade mission was organised by Energy NL, with support from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Industry, Energy and Technology (IET)
Speaking at a welcome reception on Monday at his residence in Bel Air Gardens, High Commissioner Mark Berman noted that the Canadian private sector has vast experience, a sound track record, and world class technologies to offer Guyana in oil and gas, infrastructure development, renewable energy, and technology.
“Our commercial relationship with Guyana is growing and will continue to grow because we are natural partners, similarly, blessed with an abundance of natural resources, sharing many values and enjoying strong people-to-people ties…” he said.
The visiting delegation includes members of Energy NL, the largest energy industry association in Canada. Over the next few days, the trade group will meet with the Government of Guyana, the business community and other local stakeholders.
The objective of the mission is to allow the visiting delegation to identify opportunities and make connections with an eye to increasing trade between the two nations. In addition, the representatives will focus on emerging sectors such as renewable and non-renewable energy, cleantech/oceantech, digitalization, and infrastructure.
Berman in his address posited that Guyana can clearly benefit from innovative Canadian companies and technology. This can lead to development of new markets.
“The Newfoundland and Labrador presence here today with support from the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador and ACOA shows that we stand ready to partner with Guyana with innovative solutions, including technologies that maximize the energy potential of Guyana while reducing its environmental footprint.”
The trade mission comes on the heels of five previous missions to Guyana from Newfoundland and Labrador which saw members creating partnerships and linkages in Guyana.
Imported capabilities
Meanwhile, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, in his remarks emphasised that the country needs imported capabilities to advance the growth of the oil and gas sectors. Guyana, he reminded, is open for business with companies from across the world.
He however added that while this is the idea, there must be partnerships in order for the benefits to pass down.
“We have incredibly exciting opportunities for even closer relations with Canada going forward, building on the extremely strong relationship that already exists on the basis of historic highs…”
Singh also told the visiting delegation that he looks forward to seeing stronger and deeper trade relations, investment, and business ties, between the two countries.
“We encourage you to examine the full gamut in respect of economic and business opportunities that exist across Guyana. And we look forward to you considering how best you can position yourselves to convert these opportunities into real transactions. We want to see more of the maple leaf planted as these partnerships materialise and manifest themselves.”
While making reference to the latest partnership between, the Beharry Group through its subsidiary Beharry Energy Holdings and the United Kingdom (UK)-headquartered, XL Group, and Atlantic XL out of Canada, Berman stated that other companies have also been working on partnerships.
In his remarks, he disclosed that BMS North America, a water treatment company, is on the verge of executing a contract with an internationally branded hotel being constructed in Guyana for its “all-in-one” packaged sewage treatment plant.
“With the boom in commercial and residential construction in Guyana, we expect that this is just the beginning for BMS North America in Guyana and the region,” he added.
He highlighted that logistics company WTG Guyana has also established a Guyana subsidiary and recently opened an office here.
“They have been partnering with other Canadian companies including those from Atlantic Provinces, to meet Guyana’s logistic and procurement needs.”
K&D Pratt Group Inc
Another company, K&D Pratt Group Inc, has joined Industrial Safety Supplies Inc of Georgetown, to create a joint venture company, Meridian 60 Offshore Inc (M60). The High Commissioner noted that the company recently signed a contract with SBM Offshore to provide fire and safety services which include inspection, commissioning, installation, repair, maintenance, and servicing of a variety of fire protection and life safety products and systems.
Additionally, OPAS Mobile and North Star Associates who are industry leaders in project management and offer an intelligent operations platform has also been working here.
And tech company, Net Benefit Software, a member of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, which provides cloud-based software platforms that allow organisations to manage, digitize, and improve the socio-economic impact of a company’s operations, has been introducing its product to the Guyanese market.
Such technology will be useful in tracking of local content metrics.
Further, Berman stated that the Shield Group of Companies which includes Shield Guyana which offers access, insulation, and custom manufacturing solutions, has also been working here.
He also mentioned that DyTech Offshore Project Management Inc, which has 25 years’ experience in offshore engineering modifications, campaign, maintenance, and integrity work for FPSOs, GBSs, and drill rigs, and Radient360 Solutions, an entity that provides digital real-time workflow management tools for the oil and gas sector, have both established a presence here.
